Land administration forms the backbone of property disputes, requiring regular updating of revenue books.
1. Types of Land Tenures
- Occupancy Tenants: Enjoy permanent, inheritable rights in agricultural land, subject to payment of land revenue.
- Non-Occupancy Tenants: Hold land for a fixed term, subject to contract conditions.
- Sub-Tenants: Cultivate land leased from principal tenants.
2. Maintenance of Revenue Records
- Record of Rights (Jamabandi / Adangal): A register maintained by the village administrative officer (Patwari/Karnam) containing details of land ownership, boundaries, cultivation types, and land revenue payable.
- Mutation: The process of changing ownership titles in the revenue records when property is transferred through sale, gift, or inheritance. It does not create title itself, but serves as primary evidence of possession and tax liability.
3. Hierarchy of Revenue Courts
Disputes regarding land borders, revenue calculations, and mutations are heard by dedicated Revenue Officers acting as courts:
⚖️ Revenue Hierarchy:
Tahsildar Court → Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) / Assistant Collector → Collector / Deputy Commissioner → Commissioner → Board of Revenue (Apex Revenue Court).
Tahsildar Court → Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) / Assistant Collector → Collector / Deputy Commissioner → Commissioner → Board of Revenue (Apex Revenue Court).